Recommendations for Various Ages, Fitness Levels, and Conditions
from 57 Authoritative Sources

Physical Activity and Health Guidelines is the first
text to gather the wealth of information regarding physical activity,
exercise, and health needs and recommendations into a single
source.

Sifting through the numerous guidelines on physical activity
and health published by government agencies, professional organizations,
and associations can be a daunting task. Information exists in
all types of formats and locationsincluding government
documents, press releases, and Web sitesso simply finding
those guidelines can be an ordeal. Physical Activity and Health
Guidelines puts the current information in one placeat
your fingertips.

Physical Activity and Health Guidelines compiles the
latest recommendations from various leading sources and organizations
into a single text. This one-of-kind resource provides quick
reference to physical activity and health recommendations for
healthy people and for those with chronic conditions across all
age groups. All readersphysicians, physical therapists,
fitness professionals, and general fitness enthusiastswill
be able to locate individualized recommendations regarding appropriate
levels and types of physical activity.

Specific activity recommendations for people with diabetes,
asthma, osteoarthritis, and cerebral palsy are detailed in this
text. Other guidelines for the prevention of common chronic diseases
such as cancer, coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, and metabolic
syndrome are also shared.

This text also includes the following information:

The components of exercise program design, which will assist
readers in preparing to implement individual and group exercise
programs

How physical activity recommendations can help people meet
weight-management guidelines

Information on purchasing and using exercise equipment such
as treadmills, heart rate monitors, weight training machines,
and exercise videos

Guidelines for cardiac testing and other exercise testing
to assist in the implementation and evaluation of physical activity
programs as well as the assessment of the safety of these programs
for people with chronic conditions

For ease of use, Physical Activity and Health Guidelines
presents information in a consistent format for each entry, including
the date issued or most recently updated, the issuing organization,
appropriate population, and location of the guidelines (with
Web sites when available). Recommendations are given for aerobic,
resistance, and flexibility training; further specifications
regarding the frequency, intensity, duration, and type of activity
are included. An appendix lists additional resources divided
by topic and includes Web addresses of key organizations, statements,
and other physical activity and health-related tools.

Physical Activity and Health Guidelines is the first
text to gather the wealth of information regarding physical activity,
exercise, and health needs and recommendations into a single
source. Convenient and easy to use, this unique text will help
readers understand the requirements for safe and effective physical
activity for all people regardless of health conditions, and
it offers the basic knowledge and tools for designing and implementing
appropriate physical activity programs.

About the Author

Riva L. Rahl, MD, is medical director of the Cooper
Wellness Program at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas,
where she counsels patients and clients regarding appropriate
physical activity programs.

Board certified in both internal and emergency medicine, Rahl
is a staff physician at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas and was previously
chief resident in emergency medicine at the University of Texas
Southwestern (Parkland) Hospital. She is a member of the American
College of Sports Medicine, the American College of Physicians,
and USA Track and Field. She received her medical doctorate from
the University of California at San Francisco in 1999.

Now a competitive marathoner, Rahl was a four-year varsity
athlete in cross country and track and field at Rice University
(Division I), where she studied biochemistry and exercise science.
She has won several races, including the Dallas White Rock Marathon
in 2000 and the Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon in 2000, 2002, and
2008.

Rahl and her husband, Brian, and two young sons reside in
Dallas. Rahl enjoys training for race day, caring for her children,
and traveling internationally.

Table of Contents

Part I: General Health and Fitness Guidelines

Chapter 1: Exploring the Relationship Between Physical Activity
and Health

History and Development of Physical Activity Guidelines

Basic Concepts and Definitions

Changes and Benefits Resulting From Physical Activity

Risks of Physical Activity

Patterns in Physical Activity Participation

Summary

Chapter 2: Exercise Guidelines for Physical Fitness and Health

Most Recent National Guidelines in the United States

Significant Historical Guidelines

Specialized Guidelines

State and International Guidelines

Summary

Chapter 3: Guidelines for Personal Exercise Programs

Basic Definitions and the FITT Principle

Components of Physical Fitness

Guidelines for Individualized Exercise Prescription

Summary

Part II: Physical Activity Guidelines by Population

Chapter 4: Infants and Toddlers

Guidelines From the American Academy of Pediatrics

Guidelines From Other Organizations

Guidelines for Prevention of Obesity and Chronic Disease

Physical Activity as Play and Nutritional Goals for Children

Summary

Chapter 5: School-Aged Children

Basic Facts About Physical Activity and Health in Children

Establishment of the Earliest Guidelines for Children

Landmark Guidelines

School and Community Health Guidelines

Guidelines Outside of the School Environment

International and State Guidelines

Guidelines Focused on Specific Health Goals

Summary

Chapter 6: Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Encouraging Pregnant Women to Be Physically Active

Benefits and Risks of Physical Activity for Pregnant Women

Primary Concerns of Exercise and Physical Activity During
Pregnancy

Guidelines for General Exercise Prescription

Important National and International Guidelines

Benefits and Risks of Physical Activity During the Postpartum
Period

Summary

Chapter 7: Older Adults

Benefits of Physical Activity for Older Adults

Major National Guidelines

Other National Guidelines

International and State Guidelines

Guidelines for Adults Who Are Frail or at Risk for Falling

Contraindications to Exercise

Summary

Part III: Physical Activity Guidelines by Disease States

Chapter 8: Cancer Prevention and Optimal Cardiometabolic
Health

How Exercise Reduces the Risks of Cancer

General Cancer Prevention Guidelines

Guidelines for Specific Types of Cancer

Metabolic Syndrome

Type 2 Diabetes

Summary

Chapter 9: Cancer

Benefits of Physical Activity

American Cancer Society Guidelines

Other Notable Guidelines

Guidelines for Specific Cancers

Side Effects of Cancer Affecting Physical Activity

Summary

Chapter 10: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease

Benefits of Exercise for Hypertension

American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines

International Guidelines

Guidelines for Coronary Artery Disease

Summary

Chapter 11: Arthritis and Osteoporosis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis

General Arthritis Guidelines

Osteoarthritis Guidelines

Osteoporosis

Guidelines for Prevention of Osteoporosis

Guidelines for Individuals With Osteoporosis

Summary

Chapter 12: Diabetes

Benefits of Physical Activity for Preventing and Managing
Diabetes

Potential Concerns Regarding Physical Activity

Guidelines for Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes

Guidelines for Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes

Summary

Chapter 13: Neuromuscular Disorders

Benefits of Physical Activity

General Recommendations From Physical Activity Guidelines
for Americans Guidelines for Cerebral Palsy

Guidelines for Parkinsons Disease

Guidelines for Muscular Dystrophy

Guidelines for Multiple Sclerosis

Guidelines for Spinal Cord Injury and Disability

Guidelines for Stroke and Brain Injury

Summary

Chapter 14: Asthma

Exercise-Induced Asthma

General Guidelines for People With Asthma

Guidelines for Children With Asthma

Summary

Part IV: Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription
and Beyond

Chapter 15: Exercise Testing and Prescription

Standards for Exercise Testing in Adults

Benefits of Exercise Testing for Children

Summary

Chapter 16: Cardiac Exercise Testing and Prescription

Candidates for Testing Utility of Information Acquired From
Exercise Testing

Protocols for Exercise Testing

Exercise Testing Procedures

Other Methods of Cardiac Testing

Summary

Chapter 17: Dietary and Weight Management Guidelines

Basic Facts About Body Weight

Dietary Guidelines From National Organizations

International Dietary Guidelines

Hydration, Energy, and Supplementation During Activity

Dietary Guidelines for Special Populations

Dietary Guidelines for Various Diseases

Summary

Chapter 18: Exercise Equipment and Facilities

Aerobic Exercise Machines

Weights

Tools for Monitoring Physical Activity

Exercising at Home

Exercising in a Workout Facility

Summary

Audiences

As a reference for fitness and health professionals, including
physicians, exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning
coaches, personal trainers, and physical therapists. As a supplemental
text for students taking courses in fitness and health in preparation
for certification.